Sunday, November 15, 2009

How to Become a Professional Dancer

After my last post, I realized that some of you may be interested in what the necessary steps are to become a professional dancer, so I decided to post a guide.

Firstly, it is important to know that strict discipline is the key to success in any form of dance, since it demands hours of daily practice. Competition for jobs is tremendous and many talented dancers have to turn to other careers to make a living.

Step 1 - Now that you are most likely a teenager with years of difficult practice behind you, decide if you really want to devote your life to dance. Be honest with yourself. If the answer is yes, take a few steps to make certain you are on a level playing field with other dancers.

Step 2 - Make sure you're attending a dance school that is giving you excellent training in the form of dance you are studying. Compare it with other dance schools in your area by arranging for several interviews.

Step 3 - Ask for information from each school about how students can prepare for and obtain professional auditions with national dance companies. A good school should have some connections.

Step 4 - Remember that there are always local events at which dancers appear. These will give you practice performing before the public.

Step 5 - Consider that a full-time college education immediately after high school might work against you if you put off trying to get those all-important professional auditions when you are 18. If you wait until you graduate from college, you will be competing with younger dancers who have been concentrating on their dancing.

Step 6 - Work toward a bachelor's degree if you decide you want to teach dance in a school or university setting. Click here for a list of accredited colleges offering dance programs.

So there you have it—a basic guide to becoming a professional dancer. Follow the general direction that the guide suggests and you will have a better chance at becoming an accomplished dancer. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment box below.